The batsmen were again in the ascendancy in the Craven Cricket League on Saturday and there were some close finishes.

And none more so than in the top of the table clash in the First Division at Cure Hill where Embsay were the visitors. Oakworth batted first and made 180-9 with Steve Lilley making 68 and skipper Nigel Lockley 31 as John Metcalfe claimed 5-54. The Shires Lane side were struggling until Stephen Speak and Chris Davies got to work and pulled things around and they were in with a shout when the former went.

Another wicket fell to leave them wanting 19 off two overs which became 13 off one. Davies plundered a six and then perished going for another big hit, having made 56.

The last ball arrived with four wanted but this proved to be a no ball so that left three wanted and sadly for the visitors only a single was achieved and the homesters had triumphed by one run.

This puts Oakworth two points clear of Carleton who take over second spot from Embsay following their emphatic win up at Gargrave. Batting first the villagers pillaged 224-3 and then declared in view of the threatening weather, the highlight being a maiden senior century for Peter Wrathmell who scored a chanceless 102 not out to go with Martin Windle's 58.

The home side could only manage 65 in reply as Steve Carling, 5-38, and Graham Summersgill, 3-14, did the damage.

Foulridge and Sutton are joint fourth. The two met at the latter's ground and it was the home side who collected the points.

They batted first and were restricted to 102 thanks to Geoff Hurlstone, 5-31, and M Nawaz, 4-35.

However this proved to be 61 too many for the Nonya side who perished for a modest 41, Chris Isherwood, 6-16, and Gary Williams, 4-23, claiming the wickets.

Haworth are sixth following their big win over visitors Cowling. The Bronte side accumulated 244-7 thanks to Stuart Ratcliffe, 72, Trevor Christian, 37, Mark Price, 36, and Duncan Marsden, 33. The visitors could only manage 110 in reply, David Watson making 43 as Price took 7-33.

Bradley's batsmen found their scoring touch as they made 207-8 over at Pendle Forest, Andrew Tiffany making 48 not out, Eddie Drake 41 and Neil Robinson 40. In reply the Fence side were dismissed for 102, Craig Vickery scoring 36 as Tim Rudden claimed 6-31.

Upper Wharfedale dragged themselves out of the bottom two in fine style. They blasted 235-3 off Cononley's attack up at Wood Lane. Ken Holme scored a fine 86, Paul Drinkall 56 not out and Glen Harrison 46.

The visitors had battled their way to 162-6 when their overs ran out, Mark Iveson making 52 as John Stapleton took 4-74.

Thornton are the only senior side to have a 100 per cent record and they head the Second Division by five points after second-placed Long Lee slipped up.

The West Craveners made a fine 200-7 at home to Keighley Tech with Mark Procter back in the runs again with 60 backed up by David Holt who scored 35. The Rose Cottage side's reply closed on 103 as Paul Tilbury took 4-12 and Brian Laycock 3-22.

Long Lee travelled to Chatburn and were restricted to 124-8, Jan Haider scoring 45 as Richard Shovelton took 4-32, Steve Procter with 49 leading the six-wicket victory charge.

Barrowford are joint second following their exciting win down at Sandylands.

They made 159 with Graham Lambert top scoring on 61 as Shaun Williamson took 5-44. He then top scored in the reply with 49 as Nick Williamson made 39. Sadly for Skipton Church Institute they fell just six runs short of their target.

Their cause was not helped by a back injury to their opening batsman P McCartan while fielding - despite the closeness of the scores he was in no fit state to take the field despite 10 balls of the innings being left.

S Gibbs, 54, helped Barnoldswick III to a creditable 164, S Filkin taking 5-49 and Lance Hall 3-45. This proved to be no problem to Glusburn who strode to victory by eight wickets, Matt Lloyd making 66 not out, Darren Ideson 35 and Mark Tatham 33.

Paul Taylor, 46, and Colin Bottomley, 42, helped Ingrow St John's to 159 up at Morton, Paul Singleton taking 5-19. Visitors Airedale then claimed the points by four wickets with Ian Singleton, 47, leading the way.

Jimmy Nelson's were scuttled for 48 at home to Haworth West End, the visitors sauntering home by nine wickets.

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